Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 22976, Peter Dunbar, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Dunbar, Peter Relief
W. 22976
CONTENTS

4462.
Massachusetts
Relief Gumban, die? who was widow of Peter Gumban, die?
Mass who died on the 17 th May, 1817, of Norfolk Co. in the State of Mass. who was a Lieut. Corp d / Private } in the company commanded by Captain Dobbett of the regt. commanded by in the Mass. line for 5 mos. 19 days Lt. 2 " Corp d . 19 " Pvt.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 73. Dollars 10 - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. End 24 th August, 1838 when the widow died.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 th day of April, 1867, and sent to Hon. John Q. Adams, Present;
Arrears to the 4th of Semi-annual allowance ending Payable to Amasa Dumbarton & the other surviving children of Relief Dumbarton.
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 }
Recorded by D. Brown, Clerk, Book C. Vol. 1, Page 53.
Reported, see letter
Commission as 2 d Lieutenant bearing date Jan. 31, 1778, de- livered to C. F. Dunbar, grandson of Peter Dunbar.

I Samuel Chessman of North Bridgewater in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, being eighty five years of age, hereby testify and say, that when the Revolutionary war began in the year 1775. I resided in that part Braintree now Randolph, a town bounding on the town of Stoughton, that at this time I was personally acquainted with Peter Dunbar who then resided in the Easterly corner of said Stoughton, I was also acquainted with Capt William Briggs and Lieut Simeon Leach and others who as I believe went into the military service of the Country, in what was called the first eight months service in the vicinity of Boston where the Enemy lay in the year 1775. That said Peter Dunbar was absent from home and military service at the same time that said Capt Briggs and Lieut Leach was, but whether said Dunbar served in the same company with either of these officers or not, I do not recollect.
That the circumstances among others which brings these events to my mind are these, that I am positive that I left My place in Braintree and moved to the place where I now live, in the month of May A.D. 1776. That when I resided in Braintree and some years afterwards I carried on the Blacksmiths business and worked at that trade, That the first year of the war 1775. I distinctly recollect that during that season, Relief Dunbar the wife of said Peter Dunbar, and Betsey Leach wife of said Simeon Leach came several times to my Shop to get their respective Husbands' Horses shod, which work I performed, and charged this work to their husbands, the said Dunbar and Leach, both of whom as I then, and have since understood, were in military service in the neighborhood of Boston. Mrs Dunbar and Mrs Leach were Sisters, and before marriage their name were Curtis. and it is fresh in my recollection, that Theophalus Curtis the father of these females, paid me for the said Blacksmith work, before the said Dunbar and Leach came home from the army service.
Samuel Chessman
State of Massachusetts
County of Norfolk ss.
May 1 st 1838. Then personally appeared the above named Samuel Chessman an intelligent man and a credible witness, subscribed to, and made Oath, that the matter set forth in the foregoing statement by him so subscribed, is according to his best recollection and belief, true in every part thereof.
Before me H. G. Clapp Justice of the Peace

V 1915
Relief Dunbar d o widow of Peter Mass.
Married before the war
Vol 12. p 134. Corp 2 days
17. 98. She 98. Died
24. 20. 68 p. 4 mar. 76.
Secty 7 - July 76
Application of Relief Dunbar for a Pension under det of July 4 1836
V 1915
Married before the war.
Please to direct the result of this application to the subscriber at Dedham Mass.
Yours J. G. Ellis

Relief Dunbar's Application for a Pension
State of Massachusetts County of Norfolk ss
On this first day of May A.D. 1837. personally appeared before the Honorable Sherman Leland, judge of the Court of Probate in and for said County of Norfolk, Relief Dunbar a resident of the town of Sharon in said County, aged ninety three years, who first being sworn according to law, doth on her Oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed July 4 th A.D. 1836.
Viz I Relief Dunbar of Sharon in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts being Ninety three years of age declare , That I am the Widow of L t Peter Dunbar late of Easton in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts deceased, who rendered very considerable military services to the United States in the Capacity of Lieutenant of Infantry or Comminary &c in the line of State troops, during the Revolutionary War. That when this war began, we had three Children, that while many occurrences of the Revolution with remain fresh in my memory, yet the confusion of that day was such together, the care and solicitude for the safety of our family which then devolved on me, makes it difficult for me to state in exact detail, without the aid of Rolls, the services rendered by said L t Peter Dunbar my late husband, at this distant day, but describe these services, the best way in my power, as follows -
Viz In the month of September A.D. 1774. a Company of Minutemen were organized in Stoughton where we then resided, I believe under Capt. Gabbott with Lieut. Simeon Leach & my husband Peter Dunbar was either a Lieut. or orderly Sergeant in this Company. I well remember that my said husband frequently met with this Company for exercise and drill for six or seven months previous to the commencement of Hostilities A.D. 1775. and that said Peter Dunbar marched to the scene of Action with said Company the first day of the war, April 19 th 1775, and remained under arms for one week and returned home to Stoughton & that a few days afterwards, said Peter Dunbar engaged in what was called the first eight months service, I believe he engaged in this service as a second Lieutenant, under either Capt. Joseph Richards or Capt. William Briggs & first Lieutenant Simeon Leach, in Col. Joseph Read's Regiment, this eight months service of said Dunbar was rendered at Roxbury near Boston between the last of April A.D. 1775. and the last day of December of the same year; when he the said Peter Dunbar, was honorably discharged and returned to said Stoughton.
Again I believe in the month of February A.D. 1776 said Peter Dunbar engaged, I think as Lieutenant of a Company of soldiers under command of Capt. Washburn, according to my best remembrance his name was Abraham Washburn, in Col. Robinson's Regiment, then marched to Dorchester Hill near Boston, where he performed military services for the term of four months & was then honorably discharged - one circumstance occurs to mind which I would briefly mention, viz according to my best recollection, when said Peter Dunbar my late husband was going out for this service Feb y 1776. he procured the requisite quantity of Blue Cloth for a Uniform military Coat suitable for an officer, but no Scarlet Cloth could be attained for the proper red facings, and after several attempts to procure a small quantity of Scarlet cloth had failed, I surrendered my Red Cloak, which was cut up for the facings required.
In the year A.D. 1777 said L t Peter Dunbar my late husband was from home a great part of the year in a service which I deem to be military service, it was furnishing supplies of Provision arms &c, but whether he acted as a Commissary, a Pay Master, or in some other Capacity does not definitely appear by any papers or information at my command, he certainly rendered this service at Roxbury and Boston as appears by a few Receipts herewith Exhibited, and could not have been less than a service of six months, if not much more than that - I am not able to state with certainty whether this service was under the direction of said Capt. Washburn, Col. Robinson, or some other officer, my impression is, that either a Maj. Heath or Captain Heath of Boston had some direction in this service -
Again said Peter Dunbar my late husband engaged as a Lieut. in the month of January A.D. 1778. in a Company of soldiers commanded by Capt. Joseph Richards in Col. Benjamin Gill's Regiment and received a Commission from the Council date January 31 st 1778, and marched to Boston & was stationed most of this term of service on Fort Hill in Boston, where performed military service for the term of nine months and was honorably discharged about the last of October A.D. 1778 - and I believe that Capt. Beals, commanded this Company a part of this term making the of service -

The amount of services rendered by Lieut Peter Dunbar as aforesaid two years and three months, on which my claim is founded, I am inclined to the belief that s d Lt Peter Dunbar rendered another tour of service in the year 1779 or 1780, but finding no proof, have not stated it with the foregoing.
That I have no other documentary papers to offer in support of my claim than those herewith transmitted, That I believe, my late husband Lt Peter Dunbar rendered the aforesaid military services as a Volunteer, I well remember he was called an active Liberty man at that day, and to my knowledge, never received any Pension or gratuity from any State, or the United States, I also recollect that not only most of my said husband's wages were lost, but we lost our farm at said Bridgewater by the depreciation of the then paper currency of the Country.
And I the said Relief Dunbar further declare, That my maiden name was Relief Curtis, that I was lawfully married to the aforesaid Peter Dunbar, at my father's house in the easterly corner of the said town of Stoughton on a day in the first week of the month of July, A. D. 1764. (the date of the day of the month of my marriage I have lost) that this marriage was consummated and solemnized, by the Rev. John Porter of said Bridgewater, and under whose ministry, my father's family then attended public worship, - also a few years after my marriage to s d Peter Dunbar, I was admitted to full communion in the Church of Christ under the pastoral charge of the said Rev. John Porter, and by him, our Children were Baptised.
And I further say, that my husband Lieut. Peter Dunbar aforesaid, died at said Easton, on the seventh day of May A. D. 1817, and that I have remained a Widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereunto annexed.
Relief Dunbar
Sworn To, and subscribed before the Subscriber, on the day and year first above written. And I hereby Certify, that by reason of old age and bodily infirmity, the said Relief Dunbar was unable to attend before a Court, to make the foregoing declaration.
S. Selawet Judge of Probate

Petition of Amasa Dunbar praying that the amount of pension to which Relief Dunbar was entitled under the Act of July 4. 1836 may be granted to her children.
Mr. Hastings of Mass
Feb. 18. 1839
Ref. to Com te on Rev. Pensions
M
Report Adverse
E. Davis
Pet n of Amasa Dunbar praying that the amount of the pension to which Relief Dunbar deceased was entitled under the Act July 4. 1836 may be granted to her children
Jan. 4. 1840
Ref. to Com te on Rev. Pensions
March 5. 1840 Com te dis. V to lie
Feb. 5. 1842
Ref. to Com te on Rev. Pensions
May 25. 1842
Report adverse - No. 784.
January 9. 1844.
Referred to the Com te on Rev. Pensions.
1844 Jan'y. 16 dis. V to lie
Report Adverse
Dec r 13 th 1844
Ref d to the Com te on Rev. Pensions
Mr. Hastings
W. Hastings Adams.

To the Honorable Senate, and House of Representatives, of the United States in Congress assembled.
The subscriber, an Inhabitant of Sharon in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, in behalf of himself and the other Children of Relief Dunbar late of said Sharon deceased, (She being the widow of the late Peter Dunbar dec. who rendered Military services to the United States in the Revolutionary War.) would hereby respectfully represent and make known —,
That in the Month of April or May in the year A.D. 1837, the said Relief Dunbar our late Mother, made Application in due form at the U.S. Pension Office, for a Pension, under the Act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836, that on the subject of this claim, we received the first letter from Mr. Edwards U.S. Com r of Pensions, under date date of August 2-1837, in which his remarks seemed favorable to the ultimate allowance of this claim, in speaking of said Peter Dunbar's services, he says, "The Roll of Capt Salbot in the Lexington alarm in April 1775, bears his name as Corporal but does not mention any term of service for that occasion, That his, (Dunbar's) alledged service under Capt n Abraham Washburn in 1776, is not verified by the Rolls further than six days as a private, in March 1776,"
That the services of said Peter Dunbar in the year 1777, as appears by certain Receipts and other original documents were not admitted, "as they do not recognise his military rank or title".
That in the same letter Mr. Edwards admits a part of the claimed service of said Dunbar, as follows, "The service in 1778 under Capt n Beal, is proved by the Rolls to have been five months and nine days as Lieutenant".
That it will here be clearly seen, that the Commissioner of Pensions, admits six days service as a Soldier, and five months and nine days as Lieutenant, performed by said Peter Dunbar in the years 1776 & 1778, and amounting to five months and fifteen days service, as proved by documentary evidence in his possession
and at the same time, not a days service is allowed in the year 1775, — six days service only in 1776, — none allowed for during the entire year of 1777, — and a part only admitted, of what is claimed, for the last tour of said Dunbar in the year 1778.
The same letter further very properly and justly stated, "It can not be admitted, that he (Peter Dunbar) served as Lieutenant prior to the date of his Commission". From this and other circumstances and usages, we infered that it would not be unreasonable to expect, that where an Officer engaged for a particular tour of service, and was duly commissioned therefor, that such officer would be allowed from the date of his Commission to the date of his discharge; should the said Dunbar's service be thus allowed, while a Lieutenant in 1778, (his Commission bearing date January 31, 1778, and his discharge dated October 27 th 1778) this term of service would amount to eight months and twenty seven days. In the close of s d letter of August 2 nd 1837, the Commissioner very generously states, that if more evidence can be

furnished "another search will be made" and in a subsequent note on the same subject, finds the probability of success —.
That in this situation of the pending Claim, the Claimant and family at very considerable expense, made efforts in this and several neighboring Counties to procure further evidence in aid of her Claim at several different times, additional testimony was procured and sent to the War Office. This testimony was from persons of known respectability, and tho' somewhat general in its nature, is concurred from different sources, and the best to be found after the lapse of more than half a Century, and which as we understand has not yet been deemed sufficient, to sustain this Claim; according to the regulations & rules of evidence, practised at the Pension Department.
Two other short letters, have been recd of nearly the same import, since the one aforesaid, the last of which, is dated June 26 th 1838. —.
Your Petitioner would here briefly remark, that the reasons which induced the said Mary Dunbar to Claim for eight months service in the year 1775, was because she recollected, and several other persons also recollected, that said Dunbar her husband left home, and went into military service, at the time that a Capt William Briggs and Lieut Simeon Leach in her neighborhood went into what was called the first eight months service in the vicinity of Boston, (This Capt n Briggs & Lieut t Leach are admitted by all to have served in "eight months service" 1775) and it is said, and we have no reason to doubt but truly said, that said Dunbar's name is not borne on Capt Briggs Roll at the War Office, but it is believed said Dunbar's name must be on some Roll in Col l Joseph Reed's Reg t — if such Rolls are not lost, or deficient in numbers — The testimony seems to be conclusive that said Dunbar was in service at the Camp near Boston in 1775, and that he returned home twice or more during the season on furlough — Tho' his grade while in this service, be not best precisely made out, it would seem just, that this service should not be entirely lost —.
With regard to the service of 1777, the Claimant and her friends from memory and sundry receipts and documents then in her possession, believed that said Peter Dunbar must have performed the duty of Deputy Commissary or Contractor during this year, under the then Board of War, but have not been able to prove his grade by any documents at the command of the Claimant —.
It is well known that the British Army had possession of the City of New York and the control of the Hudson River in the year 1777, which prevented supplies going to our Northern Army by way of the Hudson. That it is also well recollected by many persons yet living, that the stores of William Gridley and a Mr Patten in Roxbury near Boston, were the places of deposit for supplies, which were transported by land under the direction of a Commissary by the name of Blaney to Bennington — Stillwater and Saratoga, for the use of General Gates' Army in the Campaign of 1777 —. The Receipts in this case, shew, that said Peter Dunbar deposited large quantities of these supplies at the said stores of Gridley and Patten at Roxbury in the year 1777. —
In view of the whole subject your Petitioner would add, that a great number of times since the subject of Pensions came up to

the said Relief Dunbar.
public view in 1818, has uniformly stated to her family and many other Persons, that Peter Dunbar her late husband was absent from his family in the war service, nearly the whole time during the first four years of the Revolutionary War. and that she believed as stated in her claim, that said Peter Dunbar left home in the Winter season in his last term of service 1778, and remained in service as Lieutenant, till the Autumn of the same year.
That in the belief of your Petitioner, the train of evidence in this case, both personal, documentary, & circumstantial, jointly, goes far to confirm and substantiate, the general facts aforesaid —.
That your Petitioner trusts it will be admitted by all, that said Relief Dunbar the Claimant, having the charge of her young Children, and the care of her husband's aged mother, when her said husband was absent in the military service of the Country, was truly a subject intended to be favored with the nation's bounty, by the law of July 4 th 1836 —.
The said Relief Dunbar died at Sharon aforesaid on the twenty fourth day of August A.D. 1838 —.
That finally, considering the favorable and liberal hints in the last answers received from the U.S. Commissioner of Pensions in relation to this long standing claim, your Petitioner is unable to infer any better cause for such delay, than, that the Commissioner is fully satisfied, that more service was actually rendered by said Peter Dunbar than he is authorized to admit and allow for, under the rules of evidence prescribed to his department.
Therefore under the Circumstances aforesaid your Petitioner humbly prays, that your Honorable Body will examine, or cause, through the medium of some appropriate Committee to be examined, the Declaration and documentary Evidence accompanying, originally forwarded to the U.S. War Office, and exhibiting the claim aforesaid, and award such sum to the Children of said Relief Dunbar dec. as in your Wisdom may be found lawfully and justly due the said Claimant at the time of her death —. And as in duty bound, will ever pray.
Sharon January 24 th 1839 —.
Amasa Dunbar

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 22976
Berthie Dunbar
wid of
Peter Dunbar
Priv Rev. wa
Act July 4 th /36
Index : Vol. A , Page 201
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Peter Dunbar Heirs of
Petition of the heirs of Peter Dunbar praying for the amount of pension due to Relief Dunbar the widow of Peter Dunbar under the act of 1836
Dec 13 1844 Referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions.
Dec. 16, 1845.
Referred to the Com. on Rev. Pensions.
March 27, 1846. Repr to li 1335
March 1
M c Adams

Before the money can be paid, affidavits must be filed with you to show the names and residence of all the surviving children, a copy of which please send to this Office.

In April or May 1837, Relief Dunbar, wife of Peter Dunbar, deceased, made application in due form at the Pension Office, under the act of July 1836. That she made out but 5 mos. 15 days service & was rejected - died Aug 24-1838. - This is now cleared. Her children apply for the same relief that their mother would have been entitled had she made out her case.

Lt Peter Dunbar
Vol 3.2 11/4 - out of Capt. Abraham Washburn x 4 mo. 76 Joseph Richards O'Beals 9 - 78
x 24-20 - power 60s at Horse neck March 78
vol. 26-276 Dr David Shepherd 28 days

Hon. J. L. Bawa

House of Rep s
Washington City Jan 8. 1840
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Dear Sir,
Will you do me the favor to — inform me whether the name of Peter Dunbar of Massachusetts is on the Roll as a soldier of the Revolution, as an officer or private, the length of time he served in each capacity, with  and the date of his commission and time of his discharge,
I am with great respect Yours &c Ebenezer D. Davis

The following is an extract copied from a receipt found among the papers of the late Capt a Peter Salbot -.
Wig. - "These may Certify that we the Subscribers have received of Peter Salbot our "wages in full for our service & travel for our attending the Colony Service at the alarm on the nineteenth of April last, as we were made up on his muster Roll Stoughton March ye 24 th 1776-"
Wathaniel Littlefield Peter Dunbar Abieser Packard Moses Wales Caleb Howard Elisha Blanchard Shephalus Blanchard Samuel Atherton Jonathan Capen Samuel Capen Thomas Glover Solomon Ely Amos Gule Isaac Salbot Jesse Smith Wathaniel Everett
As there is no term of time or amount of wages prefixed to these names it was that unnecessary to forward the original Receipt - Yrs Respectfully
J. L. Edwards Secy. Washington City
Wm. Gollis

522
Peter Dunbar (Mass) W. 22976

2- Head Quarters Boston Oct r 27 th 1778
Mr. Pumban having permission from the General to return home on condition that his Regiment will continue in camp and do his Mr. Pumban duty, is hereby discharged from further service by order of the General David Lyman P.M.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. County of Norfolk ss.
I Jonathan H. Cobb Register of the Court of Probate of the County & Commonwealth aforesaid hereby certify that Sherman Leland is Judge of said Court of Probate & that William Ellis is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County of Norfolk & that Joseph Sylvester is a Justice of the Peace within & for the County of Wellesley in said Commonwealth & that their several signatures to the papers annexed are genuine & true.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this tenth day of May A.D. 1837.
Jonathan H. Cobb Reg. Probate Norfolk Co.

57 Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Norfolk.
I Jonathan H. Cobb Register of the Court of Probate for the County & Commonwealth aforesaid hereby certify that William Ellis is a Justice of the Peace & of the Quorum within said County of Norfolk and that his signature to the papers annexed are genuine there.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office This tenth day of May (A.D. 1838.)
Jonathan H. Cobb

I Phebe Billings of Sharon in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, being of lawfull age, hereby testify and say, that I was personally acquainted with Lieut. Peter Dunbar and his wife Relief Dunbar more than twenty years ago, they then resided in the Town of Easton in the County of Bristol Massachusetts. That said Lt Peter Dunbar died at said Easton in the month of May A.D. 1817, and that that I attended his funeral ceremonies at said Easton. & That I am knowing to the fact, that said Relief Dunbar, the widow of said Lt. Peter Dunbar, has remained unmarried since the death of her late husband the said Peter; and remains his widow at this time, and that she the said Relief Dunbar now resides in my immediate neighborhood in said Sharon.
State of Massachusetts County of Norfolk ss
Phebe Billings
May 3 d 1837. Then personally appeared the above named Phebe Billings, a credible Witness, and subscribed to, and made Oath that the matter set forth in the foregoing Statement by her subscribed, is true.
Before me - J. G. Ellis Justice of the Peace

I Relief Harris of Stoughton in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts Widow, being in the seventieth year of my age, hereby testify and say, That I was a near neighbor to, and was personally acquainted with, the late Peter Dunbar when the Revolutionary war began, he then resided in the easterly part of said Stoughton, I was also intimately acquainted at the same time, with the late Relief Dunbar the wife of said Peter Dunbar and from that time to the present, and that she now resides in Sharon in said County. And I the said Relief Harris further testify and say, that I recollect distinctly, that soon after Lexington Battle in the year A.D. 1775, my father, the late Capt. Simeon Leach, and the said Peter Dunbar both left Stoughton and went into the first eight months service at Roxbury or Cambridge near Boston I believe either in Capt. Joseph Peckham's or Capt. William Briggs Company; my said father engaged and served in this service as Lieutenant and said Peter Dunbar as second Lieutenant or a Sargeant, in this eight months tour; and I am very confident in my belief, that my mother Elizabeth Leach and my aunt, the said Relief Dunbar went together and paid a visit to their respective husbands at the Camp near Boston in the summer of the first eight months service in the year A.D. 1775.
State of Massachusetts County of Norfolk ss
Relief Harris
May 3 1837. Then the above named Relief Harris a credible Witness, subscribed to, and made oath that the matter set forth in the foregoing statement by her made and subscribed, is according to her best recollection and belief, true in every part thereof.
Subscribed
Before me
Wm Ellis
Justice of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. County of Norfolk ss.
I Jonathan H. Cobb Register of the Court of Probate within for the County of Commonwealth aforesaid hereby certify that William Ellis is a Justice of the Peace within & for the County of Norfolk aforesaid & that Lemuel Howard is a Justice of the Peace within & for the County of Plymouth & that their respective signatures to the affidavits annexed are genuine true. In Testimony, whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this twenty ninth day of November A.D. 1837.
Jonathan H. Cobb

I William Curtis of Stoughton in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, being eighty four years of age hereby testify and say, that I was a neighbor to, and personally acquainted with Peter Dunbar of said Stoughton in and before the year 1775. That when the Revolutionary war broke out April 19 th 1775, I am knowing to the fact that said Peter Dunbar turned out as a Soldier or non commissioned officer on the said nineteenth of April and marched to Roxbury near Boston, and at said Roxbury, remained under arms according to my best recollection and belief for the space of two weeks time, and returned home to said Stoughton, that this service was performed in a company commanded by Capt d Peter Talbot rather an aged man for such service, and then living in said Stoughton, I know these facts, because I went from said Stoughton the same day said Dunbar went in this service, and served in said Talbot's company as a soldier the same time that said Dunbar did.
W m Curtis
State of Massachusetts County of Norfolk ss. December 21 st 1837. Then personally appeared the above named William Curtis a credible witness, subscribed to, and made oath, that the matter set forth in the foregoing statement by him subscribed is true.
Before me W m G. L. (Justice of the Peace)

James L. Edwards Esq. U.S. Com r of Pensions Washington City

Dedham Mass ts May 8 th 1838
Mr. Edwards
Sir
I herewith transmit the depositions of Samuel Chapman and Betsy Cole in aid of the claim of Relief Dunbar, and tho' this testimony does not prove what officer the claimant's late husband served under during the first year of the Revolutionary War, yet this testimony, in concurrence with the claimant's declaration, and other testimony in the case, seems to furnish proof irresistible that Peter Dunbar the late husband of Relief Dunbar, did render military service as a private or sergeant several months in the vicinity of Boston Mass ts in the first of the war A.D. 1775. - and it would appear from the belief and inquiry of the claimant and family, that said Dunbar's services were rendered in Col. Joseph Reed's Regiment in the year 1775 - but they have no rolls or documents to prove this fact substantially. it appears from all who remember said Dunbar, that he was an active capable man and zealous in the cause of Liberty. -
I am aware that the services of said Dunbar in 1777, collecting and furnishing large supplies of stores and delivering the same at Grindle's Store at Roxbury under direction of commissary Blaney or the Board of War, can not from their indefinite character, be consistently allowed at the Pension department, although proof can be adduced that these supplies were transported from W m Grindle's Store in Roxbury to the Army at Bennington and Saratoga during the Campaign of that year. This circumstance was induced the claimant and her friends to believe it best for her to bring the whole claim before Congress by petition or otherwise, on the presumption that the Committee on Claims having the power would favorably consider the services of most of the year 1777 and allow for them as the other service claimants.
Since only add as this claim has been a long time pending, it is hoped it will be found practicable to come to a decision thereon, at a period, that will afford time to the claimant and family, to bring this claim before Congress, before the present session closes if they continue in their determination so to do. -
I am Sir very respectfully
your Ob t Servant
W m Gellis
James L. Edwards Esq U.S. Comm r . of Pensions Washington City.

I Daniel Gilmore of Hrentham in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, being eighty years of age hereby testify and say, that I was acquainted with Peter Dunbar and his wife Relief Dunbar of Stoughton in the year A.D. 1775, my own residence was a few miles south of the place where the said Dunbar and his family resided at the time. (1775). That I distinctly recollect of leaving my home and went to the neighborhood of the camp near Boston to visit several friends in that quarter, and I am sure I made this visit in the month of August or early in the month of September A.D. 1775, and that on my return home from this visit, I am positive, that I called at said Peter Dunbar's house in Stoughton, and inquired of said Relief Dunbar, where said Peter Dunbar her husband was, & she Relief Dunbar answered me, that and said Peter Dunbar, her said husband, was then doing duty as a Soldier or Officer (which, I am not certain) in the Army either at Roxbury or Dorchester near Boston, and I recollect this more fully, because the said Peter Dunbar was my own Uncle, what Officer or Regiment, said Dunbar was serving under, I do not recollect.
Daniel Gilmore
State of Massachusetts County of Norfolk ss.
January 23 1839, I, the above named Daniel Gilmore a man of known rectitude of sound mind and a credible Witness, subscribed to, and made Oath, that the matter set forth in the foregoing Statement, by him so subscribed, is, according to his best recollection and confident belief, true, in every part thereof.
Before me, Wm Ellis Justice of Peace

I Betsey Cole of North Bridgewater in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts Widow, being in the seventy second year of my age hereby testify and say, that I lived with my late father Peter Dunbar deceased, and with my Mother Relief Dunbar, in the easterly part of Stoughton Mass t . - when the Revolutionary war began in the year 1775 - being then nine years of age, I distinctly recollect the first day of the war April 19 th 1775 and the alarm when a number of men were killed at Lexington on that day, and according to my best recollection my said father Peter Dunbar, left home and went with the soldiers soon after this alarm arrived. I also well remember that said Peter Dunbar was absent from home in military service in the neighborhood of Boston, most, or all the season the first year of the war 1775 - and as some of the seasons which bring to mind these transactions, I want to state, that when my said father Peter Dunbar left home in the early part of the season, I am positive he engaged a man to over see and carry on our farm for that season while he was absent, that this man's name was Jonathan Battles, who remained with us through this season, - and I further say that I distinctly remember that my said father Peter Dunbar, during this first season of this war 1775 - two or three times came home, and after a few days went back to the camp or Army near Boston, and it freshly occurs to my mind that my said father when he then came home - said he came on furlough, how many months said Dunbar served at the aforesaid place , or whether as a Soldier or Serjeant, or the Officers names under whom he served. I am not able to recollect or determine, my Mother the said Relief Dunbar is yet living in the Town of Sharon Massachusetts - and I further say, that it also freshly occurs to my mind, that at one of the times said Peter Dunbar visited home as aforesaid, he brought with him and shewed to our family some of the Bread he had drawn as rations while at the camp, It was a hard kind of flour bread, similar to what is now called sea Bread -
Betsey Cole
State of Massachusetts County of Norfolk ss.
May 1 st 1838. Then personally appeared the above named Betsey Cole, who on examination appeared to be a person of respectability and intelligence and a credible Witness, acknowledged subscribed to, and made oath that the matter set forth in the foregoing statement by her subscribed, is, according to her best recollection and confident belief, true in every part thereof.
Before me Myer H. G. Ellis Judge of the Peace

Dedham Mass Sept 20 th 1887
Mr Edwards
Sir
Yours of the 9 th Ult o in relation to the Claim of Relief Dunbar now pending at the War Department, was duly received and communicated to Mrs Dunbar and family, it appears they have made some further effort, to procure additional evidence in her case, but to my knowledge, have found nothing more essential than Mr Curtis' Affidavit and the Order enclosed.
With regard to Mrs Dunbar's case, it may not be improper to submit a few general remarks.
Mrs Dunbar the Claimant, first stated to me the military services of her late husband and I believe before it was known whether any, or what personal testimony could be procured, as follows. That she well recalled her late husband (Peter Dunbar) was from home in the war service most of the time during the first four years of the revolutionary war 1775-78 and that these services were rendered at Roxbury, Boston, Dorchester Hill, and in that neighborhood. She then stated more particularly, that her husband turned out into the military service when the war began. That he went into the first eight months service at the time Capt Joseph Richards and Capt Wm Briggs went, and that her husband served under one of them in this town; (with regard to Capt Richards being a Captain at that time, it is seen that the Claimant was mistaken, Capt said Joseph Richards it appears — served in the eight months service as a Lieut or Orderly Sergeant, and was a Captain soon afterwards)
She also stated that her husband (Peter Dunbar) served at Dorchester Hill when that place was fortified in the Spring of 1776, and likewise that he was much engaged during that and the next year 1777, in procuring supplies for the Army and so on till the termination of his services in 1778, and that soon after this, he removed from Stoughton, as stated in her declaration.
It will be seen, that this general statement and in fact all the statements of the Claimant on this subject, are in a very considerable degree strengthened by the personal testimony, the traditional evidence, and the old Receipts &c in this case, and certainly tend to establish the correctness of the Claimant's description of her late husband's revolutionary services.
I apprehend that one reason which renders it difficult to procure Evidence in this matter is, that Peter Dunbar, at the time these services were rendered, resided in the Easterly corner of the town of Stoughton, near the Southerly corner of Braintree and at the same time, within a few Rods of the Northerly extremity of Bridgewater in the County of Plymouth, said Peter Dunbar it appears was a native of said Bridgewater and attended public worship there while he lived in Stoughton. These three towns being very large in territory at that time, either one of them, larger than some of our whole Counties at the present day, made the central parts of them, and the plans of military parade and public,

Assemblages in either of these towns, at a distance of three to five miles from said Dunbar's residence, and there being very few inhabitants in his settlement or immediate neighborhood at that time and most of them deceased, or moved to some place now unknown, hence none have been found to testify in this matter, who lived on the spot or near neighbors to said Peter Dunbar at the time, but Hannah Niles and Relief Harris, who both have the reputation of being persons of truth and veracity, and who truly are so, in my belief —. Their testimony is in your possession —.
One other circumstance may be said to strengthen the statement of the aged Claimant. She stated at first, that Peter Dunbar her late husband was a Lieutenant long before the year 1775, & that she believed he had that rank at the time or about the time the war began. Likewise Mr Niles and Mrs Harris when they testified, strongly indicated the same belief, but as no commission of that date could be produced, nor any evidence (at that time) to sustain such belief, I was unable to account for such coincident belief or testimony of the Claimant and the other witnesses on this point. But, a few days since, (on the fourth Ins t ), after Mr Curtis had authenticated the enclosed affidavit, I enquired of him, if he had any recollection that said Peter Dunbar was a Lieutenant or acted in that capacity on any occasion, at, or about the time the war began 1775 — Mr Curtis readily answered that he distinctly remembered and would testify if necessary, that said Peter Dunbar, was duly elected a Lieutenant of a Militia Company, a short time before or immediately after said war began in 1775, and thought it was when Capt Robert Swan or Capt Peter Saltonstall commanded the Company, and that himself acted at such election, and that said Dunbar did not obtain a commission, whether it was because said Dunbar declined the Office, or whether the reorganization of these companies when the war began prevented his being then commissioned or otherwise, he could not be certain —. Here then, is reasonable ground, which induced the Claimant and the other witnesses to the belief, that said Dunbar was a Lieutenant at the outset of the war, — being thus duly elected to that Office, and no doubt was addressed by that title in that neighborhood, although he had no commission.
So far as opportunity has offered, I have taken occasion to enquire about said Peter Dunbar, and find but one sentiment in relation to him among the aged people in that region, some recollect him more from reputation than by personal acquaintance but all agree, that said Dunbar was an active man at that period "and Zealous in the cause of Liberty" — here, under the concurrent circumstances of the case, the most rational conclusion in my view seems to be that said Dunbar did serve in the first eight months service in the vicinity of Boston, either as a Sergeant or private but under some Officer not ascertained.
At the outset, when the Claimant stated the eight months service I think she mentioned the names of several other captains in that Quarter, beside Capt Briggs and Capt Richards, and who perhaps were not named in her declaration, these were Capt Daniel Lathrop — Capt Stephen Penniman, Capt Silas Wild and

a Captain Tyler These Officers I suppose, were of Providence or Bridgewater or some other town in the old Colony I am not certain but Capt William Bent of Shoughton was mentioned with the others, it is possible said Dunbar might have served under some these officers in the service of 1775.
I had supposed the services of said Dunbar shown by the receipts in the case, were rendered as Contractor, store keeper or assistant Commissary, but perceive you do not recognize them as military, I am aware that these receipts do not designate the rank or title of said Dunbar in the service to which they refer, and know of no evidence here to determine it, If it would be any service to Mrs Dunbar's Claim, it might be shown by good evidence, that the large quantities of Stores mentioned in these Receipts as delivered to William Grilly and at Patten, Stone, Col. Griffin &c, were procured and placed at the certain stores in Roxbury for the purpose and were transported by land to our Army at Ticonderoga and Stillwater and Saratoga in the years 1776 & 1777, that this land transportation, was because the enemy at that time, had possession of New York and Long Island, and supplies could not be conveyed to these Armies by the way of the Connecticut or North Rivers, that William Grilly, Col. Griffin &c, forwarded these stores to this Army destination, by direction of a Mr Blany acting as Commissary at that time.
Herewith is transmitted an original Order lately found among said Peter Dunbar's papers which shows that said Dunbar was a Sergeant and ordered out to duty in that capacity in Sept. 1777.
As it is well known that Samuel Talbot (afterwards Captain) rendered military service in two or more distant campaigns in the Revolutionary war, the most rational inference from the tenor of this Order seems to be, that early in September 1777, Lieut. Samuel Talbot was preparing and recruiting men for that service, and that Peter Dunbar was aiding him as recruiting officer or Sergeant, in the town of Shoughton or some neighboring town, and must have performed days or weeks or months service, but as no direct proof can be offered at this moment , it must be unavailing to urge this point further.
M c Dunbar's services in 1775, are doubtless satisfactorily shown from the date of his commission to that of his discharge.
Thus have I hastily noticed some the several parts of M c Dunbar's case with the circumstances attending it, hoping merely to bring its just merits clearly to view.
I will only add, that after a reexamination of M c Dunbar's Claim, it be found that the Claimant can not consistently be placed on the Pension Roll under the existing laws of the U.S. M c Dunbar and family are desirous of being informed of the fact as soon as convenient, as she intends in that event (her claim being some what peculiar) to make an effort by a petition to Congress.
I am Sir, very respectfully, your humble Servant
Jas L. Edwards Esq. Washington City
W. Ellis

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States, of the 15 th July, 1836, Relief Dunbar, dec d . late of Massachusetts, who was widow of Peter Dunbar, who was a Lt. Col l , and Private in the Revolution, was entitled to a pension, at the rate of Seventy Three Dollars and Ten Cents per annum; and having died on the 26 th August 1838, the amount due, from the 6 th March 1831 to the time of her death, is payable to Amasa Dunbar, and the other surviving children of said Relief Dunbar, dec d .
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 29 th day of April one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven.
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. §
Commissioner of Pensions.

Additional papers in the case of Amalia Dunbar
March 8. 1844.
Dear Sir,
The enclosed copy of Amalia Dunbar's will is for you.

I Amasa Dunbar of Sharon in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts being of lawful age hereby depose and say that my late mother, Relief Dunbar of said Sharon dec. made application for a Pension, under the Act of Congress of July 4 th 1836, as the Widow of Peter Dunbar my late father dec. - I think said application was made in 1837. That on this application of said Relief Dunbar, Mr Edwards of the Pension Department, admitted the proof of the marriage between the said Peter and Relief Dunbar to be satisfactory, and also admitted a part of said Peter Dunbar's Revolutionary services claimed for in said application. viz. "Three days service as Corporal" in Capt Peter Salton's Company at the Lexington alarm in the month of April 1775 - That Peter Dunbar's home was Shurton Mass. in the war time. "Six days service as Private" in Capt Abraham Washburn's Company, March 1776 and "Five months and nine days service as Lieutenant" in Capt Beal's Company in the year 1778 - making in all, a term of five months and eighteen days service, admitted. That the Pension Department did not admit any service for said Peter Dunbar in the year 1775, but the three days as Corporal above stated, altho' the Claimant was very positive that Peter Dunbar her late husband was from his home and in the military service near Boston during the first eight months of the war in 1775, and much circumstantial evidence which goes to confirm that belief, was forwarded with said application; but which did not satisfy the Pension Department as to what grade or company said Dunbar served in, the remainder of that year. That I then made an effort to procure further proofs of these services of 1775 and for additional services of said Peter Dunbar, but did not find that positive proof sought, but found much traditional evidence among aged people, which satisfied myself and others, that said Peter Dunbar had rendered more Revolutionary service than admitted by the Department, as above. That while making this effort said Relief Dunbar the Claimant was taken ill, and died at said Sharon, August 24 th A.D. 1838. That soon after this event, I made a Petition to Congress in behalf of myself and the other surviving children of said deceased, stating the said Claim, and praying that the case might be examined by Congress, and such sum allowed to the surviving children of said Relief Dunbar dec. as was justly due to said Claimant at the time of her death. That I believe said Petition has never yet been considered and decided upon, but remains pending, on the files of the Committee of Revolutionary Pensions or Claims. That within the last ten months, I have discovered a short term of military service of said Peter Dunbar which I believe was not set forth and claimed for in said Claimant's original declaration, and which I now in the right of said Relief Dunbar dec. and in addition and amendment of her said Application, and in my own behalf and that of the other surviving children of said deceased; claim for, as follows - viz. -  - Three weeks service as Soldier or Private - at Tiverton in the State of Rhode Island on a sudden alarm, in the summer season of the year 1780 - in a Company commanded by Samuel Dunbar, who was either a Captain or Lieutenant at the time of this service - and request that this term of service may be considered and allowed with the services admitted by the Pension Department as aforesaid.
Amasa Dunbar
State of Massachusetts County of Norfolk S.S. February 13 th A.D. 1844. Then personally appeared the above named Amasa Dunbar a credible witness, and subscribed to, and made Oath, that the matter set forth in the foregoing statement by him so subscribed is, according to his best knowledge and belief, true in every part thereof. Before me, Wm. L. Lill Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston February 17 th 1844
I hereby Certify , That at the date of the annexed attestation William Ellis was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Norfolk,
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Sleeper;
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

I Hannah Niles of Bridgewater in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts being seventy nine years of age hereby testify and say that I was personally acquainted with Lieut Peter Dunbar and his wife Relief Dunbar during the war of the Revolution, I then lived within a few steps of their residence in the Town of Scituate, I well remember that said Lieut Peter Dunbar was many times absent in the Army service for the first three or four years of the war, in the neighborhood of Boston, but cannot distinctly state the amount of services rendered by said Peter or the officers and Regiments in which he served but I remember several officers names who then lived in my neighborhood viz - Capt Nathiel Wales, Capt William Briggs, Capt Jedediah Southworth Lieut Simon Leach afterward a Captain, Lieut Jonathan Hunt Esq &c I also well recollect that said Peter Dunbar went to Dorchester Hill at the time it was fortified in the month of March in the year 1776 and that during that year and the year following viz - 1777, the said Lieut Peter Dunbar was a very considerable part of the time from home in the military service in and about Boston, that said Peter Dunbar had much to do about procuring and delivering out Army stores, that frequently loads of these stores such as sugar, molasses, rum and provisions were brought to, and went from said Peter Dunbar's house in said Scituate, and that I the said Hannah Niles living near, saw these things and frequently passed the night with said Relief Dunbar at her home, when said Lieutenant Peter Dunbar her husband was absent in this service, and I perfectly recollect that my Brother (Nathaniel Littlefield) went into this service for several months as a waiter and assistant to said Lt Peter Dunbar, but which year it was I cannot say but believe it was either in the year 1776 or 1777.  Hannah Niles
State of Massachusetts County of Norfolk ss.
April 13 th 1837. Then she above named Hannah Niles a credible witness, personally appeared, subscribed to, and made oath, that the matter set forth in the foregoing statement by her made and subscribed is, according to her best recollection and confident belief true, in every part thereof.
Before me Yrs Wm G. Ellis Justice of Peace

I Edward French of Sharon in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts a Pensioner of the United States under the Act of Congress of the year 1818, being seventy five years of age hereby Testify and say, that I was personally acquainted with Lieut. Peter Dunbar then resident in the town of Houghton (now within said County of Norfolk) in the year A.D. 1778, That I was - knowing to the fact, that the said Peter Dunbar rendered military services in the capacity of Lieutenant either in the Company of Capt n Prichards or Capt n Beals at Fort Hill in Boston and Dorchester Hill, for the term of three months, the Col s name I have forgotten - and the reason why I know the fact, of this three months service of said Lt t Peter Dunbar, is because I served as Fifer for the the same Company for the term of three months, under the said Lt t Peter Dunbar, beginning about the first of June and ending about the first of September in the year 1778; and I believe that said Lt t Dunbar rendered considerable more services the same year, because I have a distinct recollection, that he the said Lt t Dunbar was already in the service at Fort Hill, at the time I entered this service, and remained at the Camp after I left it, but how long before, or after, my three months service was rendered; the said Lt t Peter Dunbar rendered military services in and about Boston in the year 1778, I have forgotten, if I ever knew -
State of Massachusetts County of Norfolk ss
Edward French
May 2 d 1837. Then the above named Edward French known to the subscriber as a credible Witness, subscribed to, and made Oath that the matter set forth in the foregoing statement is, according to his best recollection and belief, true in every part thereof.
Before me W m G. Ellis Justice of Peace

Colt Joseph Layton & Co.

I Moses Cary of North Bridgewater in the County of Plymouth and state of Massachusetts being Eighty eight years of age hereby depose and say, that I was personally acquainted with Peter Durlar of Bridgewater and Relief Curtis of Stoughton seventy three years ago that I distinctly recollect the time when they were married, but I cannot state the exact day or month this marriage took place, but it was in the summer of the year AD 1764 I believe in the month of July, I was a companion of one of the parties and was present when the said Peter Durlar and Relief Curtis were married by the Rev d John Porter of said Bridgewater, that this marriage took place at the house of Theophilus Curtis the father of said Relief Curtis in said town of Stoughton.
Moses Cary
State of Massachusetts County of Plymouth
SS April 13 th 1837
Then personally appeared the above named Moses Cary long known to me the subscriber as a man of sound mind and memory and a credible witness, and subscribed his name to the above deposition and made oath to the truth of the matter therein contained.
Before me
Joseph Silverster Justice of the Peace

Papers in aid of Relief Dunbar, Claim for a Pension, Pending
[Signature]

I Relief Harris of Houghton in the County of Norfolk and commonwealth of Massachusetts widow, being in the seventieth year of my age, hereby depose and say, that I was intimately acquainted with Peter Dunbar and his wife Relief Dunbar, when the Revolutionary War began in the year 1775, they then lived in the Easterly corner of said Houghton within fifty rods of the house of Simeon Leach my late Father, with whom I then resided, I well recollect that my said Father Simeon Leach left home about two or three weeks after the War broke out in April 1775, and went as Lieut. into the eight months service, in the neighborhood of Boston where the Enemy then lay, and I also recollect that the said Peter Dunbar (whose wife was a Sister of my Mother) left home in some military capacity at the same time, and my belief has been that he was a member of the same company with my said Father Simeon Leach as stated in my Affidavit of last Spring, but it is possible said Peter Dunbar might be in some other company that went to Bridgewater in our immediate neighborhood, and I further say that it is fresh in my memory, that on the day of Bunker Hill Battle in June 1775, we heard the firing of this Battle, and I distinctly remember that on this occasion, both my said Father and my Uncle Peter Dunbar were absent at the Camp and that I heard my Mother & Aunt Relief Dunbar who together, express much anxiety from fear that their Husbands were among the slain. — And after much reflection and visiting the place of my nativity, I further testify as say, that some weeks after my said Mother and Aunt Dunbar visited their husbands at the Camp in the summer of 1775, as stated in my former affidavit, I distinctly recollect that my Father Simeon Leach and said Peter Dunbar returned from the Camp, and before they went to their own houses, they called at the house of my Grandfather Curtis, where I was then residing for a time, and said they came home on furlough, and soon after, they both left home and as I believe returned again to the Service at the Camp. I am unable to state with more certainty, the Officers names that went into the first years service of the war from this neighborhood, than was stated in my former affidavit, and further more the deponent saith not.
Relief Harris
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Norfolk S.S.
November 23: 1837. When the above named Relief Harris an intelligent person, and a credible Witness, personally appeared, subscribed to, and made oath, that the matter set forth in the foregoing statement by her so subscribed, is, according to her best recollection and confident belief, true in every part thereof.
Before me, J. P. Gellis Justice of the Peace

I. Hannah Niles of North Bridgewater in the County of Plymouth and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being eighty years of age, hereby depose and say, that in addition to the facts I deposed last spring, in relation to Peter Dunbar's military services in the Revolutionary war, the following circumstances and facts have since come to my mind, that said Peter Dunbar was absent at the Camp a great portion of the time during the first season of the war in 1775; that I perfectly remember the fact, that on the seventeenth day of June A. D. 1775, the day of Bunker Hill Battle, the said Peter Dunbar was then under arms at the camp near Boston, but under what Captain I cannot say, nor am I certain that he was in that Battle, but if not, he was in the neighbourhood at the time it was fought: I heard him tell of the occurrences of that day many times afterwards. I am certain that I was at said Peter Dunbar's House in Houghton on the evening after the battle of the said seventeenth of June: there were several other females at said Dunbar's house the same evening, and we saw the light which we afterwards were informed, was reflected from the burning of Charlestown that night, and I perfectly recollect, that while at said Dunbar's house on said evening with Mrs. Relief Dunbar and family, Old Mrs. Dunbar the mother of said Peter, exclaimed —, it is a wonder if I ever see poor Peter again. Hannah Niles
Commonwealth of Massachusetts } County of Plymouth ss. } November 22 - 1837. Then Personally appeared the above named Hannah Niles, well known to the subscriber as a person of good character and retentive memory, — and subscribed to, and made oath that the foregoing statement by her subscribed, is correct and true.
Before me. Linus Howard Justice of the Peace.

Annasa Dunbar claims the pension accrued  that her mother Relief Dunbar, deceased , widow of Peter Dunbar a revolutionary soldier was in her life time entitled to.
Daniel Gilmore, a witness certified to be respectable, and credible, witness , says that he was well acquainted with Peter and Relief Dunbar in the year 1775, that he called to see them during the year 1775, and Relief told him her husband was serving as a soldier or officer in the revolution that Peter Dunbar was the deponents uncle. Mr Edwards, in his letter states that Peter Dunbars Commission as Lieutenant bears date 31 st January 1778 and his discharge 27 th of October of the same year, that he was discharged in consequence of having procured a Substitute. The Pay roll, date of entering service is 5 th July 1778 and his discharge in December same year, when the whole company was discharged.
If we included the service of the Substitute with the personal service of Peter Dunbar there would not be more than 6 months service proved but deducting the service of the Substitute, the service of Peter Dunbar is reduced to about 4 months.
The petitioners alleges that her father served in 1775 in 1777 and in 1778. The proof of service in 1775 is the testimony of Daniel Gilmore who does not fix any time of service in that year and it is probable that he served only a few days at that time accrued in the Lexington alarm. The

alleged Service in 1877 is without evidence, and his personal Service in 1878 commenced in July and ended in the last of October, less than four months.

Amasa Hunsdiker claims the pension that his mother Relief Hunsdiker deceased, widow of Peter Hunsdiker a revolutionary soldier was in her life time entitled to. Daniel Gilmore a witness certified to be a respectable and credible, says that he was well acquainted with Peter and Relief Hunsdiker in the year 1775 - that he called to see them during the year 1775 - and Relief told him her husband was serving as a soldier or officer in the Revolution that Peter Hunsdiker was the Agents uncle. Mr Edwards in his letter states that Peter Hunsdiker's Commission as Lieutenant bears date 31 st of January 1778 and his discharge 27 th of October of same year, that he was discharged in consequence of having procured a substitute. The pay roll date of entering service is 5 th of July 1778 and his discharge in December same year, when the whole Company was discharged.
If we include the service of the substitute with the personal service of Peter Hunsdiker there would not be more than six months service proved, but deducting the service of the substitute the service of Peter Hunsdiker is reduced to about four months. The petition alleges that his father served in 1775, in 1777 and in 1778. The proof of service in 1775 is the testimony of Daniel Gilmore who does not fix any time of service in that year and it is probable that he served only a few days at that time in the Lexington Alarm. The alleged service in 1777 is without evidence and his personal

Review in 1778 commenced in July and ended in the last of October, less than four months.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, January 23 d 1839
I hereby Certify , That William Ellis is a Justice of the Peace and of the Inferior for the County of Norfolk
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John C. Bigelow
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

1775. 7 days. —————
7 days
" 8 mo.
Feb 76. 4 mo. —————
-. 78
77 0. Mr. McIntay
78. 9 mo. Sub. —————
5. 9 Sub.
Rolls. Vol 14. p 134. Cape No Puccis.
" 14. p 4. not on roll.
Vol 24 p 13. No unknown Rec from 11 Oct 78. 2 mo. 24 d.
o. p 20. Dues Rec pri. 60s from 4 Mar 76 - Washburn
Co.
Vol 3. p 104. not on - '78
17. 98 - 5 m - 9 d. Sub. July '78
17. 98 to 13 Dec 98

House of Reps. June 22. 1838
Sir
I am requested to inquire, whether any final decision has been made by you on the application of Releif Dunbar widow, of Mass. for a pension under the Act of July 4. 1836.
Very Respectfully Yours Wm. S. Hastings
To J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions.

Office House of Reps U.S. July 23 1847
Sir
Please file the enclosed papers, with those deposited in your office in April last by the Hon J. D. Adams, as I believe these relate to the same case.
I am very respectfully Sir Your Ob t Serv t D r Buck Asst. Clk. H. R. U.S.
J. L. Edwards Esq

I. Thomas Curtis of Stoughton in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, being eighty years of age, hereby Testify and say that I was personally acquainted with Peter Dunbar, and his wife Relief Dunbar, then living in said Stoughton in the year 1775, and I recollect and am knowing to the fact, that said Peter Dunbar on the Nineteenth day of April A.D. 1775. turned out as a soldier and marched from said Stoughton in a Company commanded by Capt Robert Swan towards the scene of Action in the Neighborhood of Boston, and the Company stoped at Roxbury, I know this fact because I marched in said Company with said Peter Dunbar at the same time, that after remaining at said Roxbury for three or four days, — with the said Dunbar under arms, I had liberty, and returned home to Stoughton and left said Company at Roxbury, & I recollect that said Capt. Swan was called from his Company to some other service, and Capt. Peter Talbot had the Command of this Company when I left it as aforesaid, and how long said Peter Dunbar served in this tour of service after I left the Company I do not remember, he certainly performed soldier's duty for the term of three or four days, while I was in said Company —.
Thomas Curtis
State of Massachusetts
County of Norfolk SS (September 11 th 1837) Then Maj Thomas Curtis a credible witness personally appeared, subscribed to, and made Oath, that the matter set forth in the foregoing Statement is, according to his best recollection and confident belief, true in every part thereof.
750000 12-10
Before me W m G. Ellis Judge of Peace

James L. Edwards Esq. U.S. Comm r of Pensions Washington City

Mr Edwards
Dedham Mass Nov. 29 th 1837
Sir
Your favor of the 2 nd Inst. in relation to the claim of Relief Dunbar was rec d and duly communicated to the Claimant & family, I know of no explanation or evidence in this case in addition to that in your possession, other than the papers may show herewith transmitted, I appear from what I have been able to obtain from the affidavits and all other sources, that no rational inference or evidence can be found tending to show, that said Peter Dunbar was engaged in any business at home or at any other place, in the Summer and Autumn of the year 1775, other than that of military service at the Camps about Boston, The Receipts in the case although they do not show definitely the character of the service of said Dunbar in the second and third years of said War, yet it does show, where he was at those dates, and that the service whatever its character, began in 1775 and continued to 1777.
There are as appears, but three persons yet found, who resided as near neighbors to said Peter Dunbar in his retired situation at the time the war of 1775 began, viz. William Curtis, Hannah Viles & Relief Harris, said William states, that after the two weeks service stated in his affidavit, he went to the Wagon service and was from his home most of the time for two or three years afterwards and recollects no service of said Dunbar but that at the opening of the war as before mentioned, hence then the evidence relied on to sustain that part of the services rendered by said Dunbar in the Summer and Autumn of 1775, is that of the Claimant and the two other females before named, Their testimony is in your possession and I trust will receive that weight & consideration, it is justly entitled to. They have mentioned a few more officers names that occur to their minds as commanders of companies in their vicinity on the Old Colony side of their then residence, but do not fix upon any one of them as having to their knowledge served with said Dunbar - The names thus stated are Capt d Fred l Pope - Capt d Nathan Wales Lieut d Lewis Johnson - Capt d Reading - Capt d Matthew Randall - Capt d Moses Soper and Capt d Moses Adams.
If Sir nothing can be consistently allowed Relief Dunbar the Claimant by way of Pension under the provisions of the existing pension laws, and the evidence in the case, it would be rec d as great favor to be informed of that fact, as soon as convenient after the receipt of this.
James L. Edwards Esq. Washington City
Very Respectfully your humble serv t
Yours W. Ellis

House of Representatives
Washington Jan 17. 1880
Hon J. S. Edwards.
Dear Sir
In the application of the widow of Peter Dunbar for a pension did appear to your satisfaction that the Commission Peter Dunbar as — Lieutenant was dated the 28 th of Jan y 1778. and that his discharge was dated the 27 th day of October same year.
Respt Yours Edw Davies

Relief Dunbar's claim
Mr Edward's answer to Mr Adams, March 8 th 1838. in which he admits, so much of Peter Dunbar's Revolutionary military services claimed for, and "duly established" are as follows — viz
"Six days as Private"
"Two days as Corporal"
"Five months & nine days as Lieutenant" Making months - days 5 — 17 — then admitted.

War Department, Pension Office, March 8, 1838.
Sir,
I have the honor to inform you that the additional evidence in the case of Mrs. Relief Dunbar, widow of Peter Dunbar, has been examined and filed with the other papers.
These depositions furnish no additional data for the examination of the rolls. A term of eight months in 1775 is asserted, and the names of various Captains having been furnished as the Commandant of her late husband's company, their respective rolls have been searched in vain for proof of his service. All the other military service recited with the requisite precision and duly established, amounts to six days as a private - two days as corporal - & five months & days as Lieutenant, which is less than the minimum provision of the act of 7 June, 1832, by which the allowance under the Act of 4 July, 1836 is ascertained and determined. If it could be shown in what regiment he served in 1775 it is probable that a more successful search may be made. Hon. J. L. Adams, } I have the honor to be House of Representatives. } very respectfully, your ob't. servt. J. L. Edwards

Dedham Mass ts February- 18 th 1847-
Mr Adams
Sir
It is with much gratification I perceive by the Papers you have safely arrived at the Seat of Government, and I trust in an improved state of health. As it is late in the session, I will trouble you with but a few words, I suppose there will not be opportunity, for want of time this session, to have considered the Petition of John Endicott and others, which you had the goodness to present last session, but hope you will have time to look a little to the Dunbar claim. I suppose the Committee who have this claim before them will not be disposed to doubt the 5 months and 17 days New! Service admitted by Mr Edwards in his Letter to you, and which is among the papers in this case. The only points which appear necessary to be considered in this matter are the two following viz. That the Committee fairly examine and consider the additional and the circumstantial Evidence in the case, of s d Peter Dunbar's actual military service in the vicinity of Boston, between the first of May and last of December 1775. and tho' the Evidence does not shew with certainty the Officers names under whom said Dunbar rendered this term of service in question, yet it does shew substantially, that he was from his home and somewhere among the military forces between Boston and Hingham during the eight months service of that year. The other point is for the Committee to consider the 5 days service of s d Dunbar with his brother in law Capt. Simeon Beach (The date I have forgotten) and 10 or 12 days service under his Uncle, Lieut Samuel Dunbar at an alarm, as certified by the Secretary of Massachusetts, in a Certificate I forwarded to you at Washington I think before the last year session of Congress, and which I trust, is still with the papers in the case.
With a sincere hope you may soon enjoy a full measure of health and vigor,
I am Sir, very Respectfully,
Your Obedient Servant
W. G. Ellis
Hon. John Q. Adams Washington City

Needham Mass ts February 15 th 1844.
Sir
As the duly authorized Agent of the surviving children of Relief Dunbar late of Sharon Mass ts dec d , I beg leave to state that said Relief Dunbar, made application for a Pension under the Act of Congress of July 4 th 1836. as the widow of Peter Dunbar her late husband dec d , and among other Revolutionary services of said Peter Dunbar, claimed for eight months service as private or Sergeant, I think in the Company of Capt. Wm. Briggs in service near Boston in the year 1775—, and tho' the Claimant was very positive from her own Recollection, that her said husband Peter Dunbar was from home and down at the Camp near Boston the first year of the war 1775—for the whole season, she was unable to satisfy the pension Department as to the grade or company said Dunbar served in, except for two or three days service as Corporal or private at the Lexington Alarm in April 1775—and this service was all the service admitted for said Dunbar in that year—Further the Pension Department admitted six days service for said Dunbar as private in Capt. Abraham Washburn's Company in the month of March 1776—and five months and nine days service as Lieutenant in Capt. Dole's Company in the year 1778—making all the service of said Dunbar thus admitted, five months and eighteen days. that during the past year said surviving children have discovered and afterwards declared for three weeks additional service of the said Peter Dunbar and under either Capt. or Lieut. Samuel Dunbar at Rhode Island in the summer season of the year 1780, — therefore I request you will examine other Rolls of S t Capt. Peter Tolbot, also the Rolls of Capt. George Gould and Capt. James Cooper for the year 1775—and the Rolls of Capt. or Lieut. Samuel Dunbar for the year 1780. if such Rolls are in your possession.—and if you find any additional service rendered by said Peter Dunbar under said Captains, — I request you to make the proper Certificate thereof, and I will call at your Office within a few days, and pay you the requisite fees for this service—.
Hon. J. G. Palfrey Sec y State—.
Yours W. Ellis

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone: and that said application and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances which tend to satisfy me of the identity of the party described in the application with the individual who rendered the service.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Peabody;
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Feb 3 1811
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Peter Dunbar is borne upon a pay roll of Lieut David Dunbar. for an alarm, to Riverford R.R. as a private. from July 30 th to Aug. 11 th 1780. 850 miles travel.
The rolls of Capt. Peter Dabbs George Dabbs, & James Croft do not bear the name of said Dunbar.

Needham Mass ts February 15 th 1844.
Sir
As the duly authorized Agent of the surviving children of Relief Dunbar late of Sharon Mass ts dec d , I beg leave to state that said Relief Dunbar, made application for a Pension under the Act of Congress of July 15 th 1836. as the widow of Peter Dunbar her late husband dec d , and among other Revolutionary services of said Peter Dunbar, claimed for eight months service as private or Sergeant, I think in the Company of Capt. Wm. Briggs in service near Boston in the year 1775. —, and tho' the Claimant was very positive from her own recollection, that her said husband Peter Dunbar was from home and down at the camp near Boston the first year of the war 1775 for the whole season, she was unable to satisfy the pension Department as to the grade or company said Dunbar served in, except for two or three days service as corporal or private at the Lexington Alarm in April 1775. — and this service was all the service admitted for said Dunbar in that year. — Further the Pension Department admitted six days service for said Dunbar as private in Capt. Abraham Washburn's Company in the month of March 1776 — and five months and nine days service as Lieutenant in Capt. Buel's Company in the year 1778 — making all the service of said Dunbar thus admitted, five months and eighteen days. that during the past year said surviving children have discovered and afterwards declared for three weeks additional service of the said Peter Dunbar and under either Capt. or Lieut. Samuel Dunbar at Rhode Island in the summer season of the year 1780. — therefore I request you will examine other Rolls of S d Capt. Peter Tolbat, also the Rolls of Capt. George Gault and Capt. James Cooper for the year 1775 and the Rolls of Capt. or Lieut. Samuel Dunbar for the year 1780. if such Rolls are in your possession. — and if you find any additional service rendered by said Peter Dunbar under said Captains. — I request you to make the proper Certificate thereof, and I will call at your Office within a few days, and pay you the requisite fees for this service. —.
Hon ble J. G. Palfrey Sec y State. —.
Wm Ellis

House of Representatives
June 7. 1844
Dear Sir
I enclose to you the papers for the Pension of Hannah Coare , for one year's pension.
Also a letter from Miss Pease in relation to the case of Mrs. Dunbar .
In behalf of Mr. Elijah Paine of Ashfield, Massachusetts, I wish to inquire relative to an application for a widow's application pension in favor of Eleanor Fuller , widow of which Fuller of Ashfield Massachusetts. — The papers he says were sent to the Pension Office last fall either by Judge Newcomb of Greenfield, Massachusetts, or Hon. George Grennell of Greenfield. Mr. Paine wishes me to write him if the papers are denied & if so how?
I also wish to inquire as to the state of the case of the old applications of a pension or an increased pension for or on behalf of Mr. Hastings of Great Barrington, Mass. His children were given Power, of Attorney &

Employed agents and get nothing. Can they? & how can they? I don't ask too long a answer.
And now I must trouble you to read the enclosed letter from Judge Anethe. I trust you will yet find his views are correct but, will see you again on the subject.
Resp & truly yours
Col. Edmuns.
Julius Rockwell.

Relief Dunbar, dec d who was widow of Peter Dunbar, dec d .
Lieut. 5 mo. 9 days -
Corporal 2 days -
Private 19 days -
$ 73:10 per annum.
Act 4 July '36
married in Sept. 1774
husband died May 17. 1817
widow died August 24. 1838
Payable up to 24. August 1838
from 4 March 1831 to her
children Amasa Dunbar
and the other surviving children
of Relief Dunbar.
Bequeathed to the Hon. John D. Adams Preseah

Pension Office, April 23. 1847.
Sir,
The case of Relief Dunbar, dec d , who was widow of Peter Dunbar, has again been examined. The certificate of the Secretary of the State of Massachusetts, which was among the papers which you handed to me on the 21 st inst. does not contain any evidence of the service of Peter Dunbar, but was given merely to shew that William Ellis, Esq r , who administered the oath to Amasa Dunbar, was a Justice of the Peace. I have very carefully examined all the papers in the case, and the only certificate from the Secretary of State as to Peter Dunbar's service is one which is dated on the 28 th of October, 1844, from which it appears that he served seven days in March 1776. The whole of the service, as shewn by the papers on our files, amounts to only 5 months and 17 days. If the alleged service of three weeks at Tiverton, R. Island, in 1780, under Captain or Lieut. Samuel Dunbar can be established by the rolls, the claim will be allowed for six months and eight days service; but we cannot admit the claim on the evidence now filed, as the law does not grant the pension in any case where the service has fallen short of six months.
I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,
Your Obdt. Servt.
J. L. Edwards
Hon. John Q. Adams, Present.

Supplementary
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Oct 25 1811.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of John Dumbarton appears upon a pay roll for services at Pockahkeights, in March 1776. Paid a Stronghold July 24. 1776 for 7 days, in the company of Capt. Simon Leach.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John D. Sleeper Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Copy
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
County of Norfolk
I Sherman Leland Judge of the Court of Probate within and for said county of Norfolk, hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been adduced to me to prove that Relief Dunbar of Sharon in said county, who was an applicant for a pension from the United States under the Act of Congress of July 6 th 1836 as widow of Peter Dunbar deceased a Lieutenant in the Army of the Revolution, died at said Sharon (on the twenty fourth day of August) in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight and that she left Betsy Cole and Simon Dunbar of Bridgewater, Asaph Dunbar of Abington in the county of Plymouth, Moses Dunbar Lemuel Dunbar, David Dunbar all of Easton in the county of Bristol, Nabby Gilmore of Wrentham Relief Ager of Weymouth, Sybbel (Pratt) of Foxborough in said county of Norfolk and Jonathan Dunbar of Boston in the county of Suffolk, her only surviving children who are still living and all over twenty one years of age.
In witness whereof I the said Sherman Leland Judge as aforesaid, have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this twelfth day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty seven.
The words "on the twenty fourth day of August" and the word "Pratt" being inserted by me.
Signed, S. Leland.

Merchants Bank
Boston, 13 May 1847
Sir,
In compliance with your request of 29 th ult. I enclose herewith a copy of the certificate filed in this office, for payment of the pension of Relief Dunbar dec d .
Respectfully
Your obed t serv t
William H. Carson
Pension Ag t .
J. L. Edwards Esq re Com r of Pensions.

War Department, Pension Office, January 25, 1840.
Sir, In answer to your enquiry I have the honor to state that the commission of Peter Dunbar as Lieut. in the Massachusetts militia bears date 31 January, 1778, and his discharge 27 th October of that year. It appears that he was discharged in consequence of having procured a substitute in Lieutenant Lincoln on that day, but according to the pay roll he entered the service on 5 th July, 1778, and was paid to 13 December, when the whole company was discharged.
I have the honor to be,
very respectfully,
Your ob t . serv t .
J. L. Edwards
Hon. Edward Davies,
House of Representatives.

Relief Dunbar, widow File No. 22,976
War Department, Pension Office, January 9, 1840.
Sir,
In answer to your enquiry whether Peter Dunbar's name is found on the Massachusetts rolls, I have the honor to inform you, that the rolls consist of fifty-five large volumes indexed by the names of the Captains in alphabetical order, and therefore no examination can be made without being furnished at least with the Officers' names.
In relation to the subject of such enquiries in general, I would respectfully refer you to the rule contained in the third paragraph of the enclosed printed sheet.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
Your ob't. serv't.
J. L. Edwards
Hon. Edward Davies, House of Representatives.

PETER DUNBAR—HEIRS OF.
MARCH 27, 1846.
Read, and laid upon the table.
Mr. SEAMAN, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, made the following
REPORT :
The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, to whom was referred the petition of the heirs of Peter Dunbar, report :
The petition has been before this committee at five different periods. On the 5th March, 1840, the committee were discharged from the further consideration of the petition. On the 28th May, 1842, the committee reported adverse. On the 16th January, 1844, the committee were again discharged from the further consideration of the petition. On 13th December, 1844, the petition was again referred to this committee, and no action had upon it.
The committee, after an examination of the papers submitted, concur in the course heretofore pursued by the committee, and they therefore offer the following resolution :
Resolved , That the prayer of the petition ought not to be granted.
Ritchie & Heiss, print.

Peter Dunbar (Mass.) W. 22976
A pass for Nelson Smith signed Sam W. Otis Pres. P.T. dated War Office Boston, March 13, 1777 and six receipts dated 1777 and
an order to Peter Dun- bar to apprehend Caleb Stoughton.
The above papers have been removed from this claim to be sent to the War Dept.
D.G.
May 6, 1911 Sent to War Dept. Jan. 16, 1913.